For the first time in 25 years I will not have to..

select clothes nightly to wear the following day,

prepare a lunch meal after dinner,

retire early to bed,

get up early in the morning to get ready for school,

wonder if I have everything in my school bag,

stay late for school related meetings,

spend an afternoon grocery shopping

after a trying day at school,

spend my nights with household chores, and

be totally exhausted after the first week of school.

HOWEVER,  I will miss...

the children and my friends.

TO MY FRIENDS...

You know I'm praying daily for your upcoming school year.

I'm praying that you will...

continue to teach with excellence and creativity,

speak encouraging and motivating words,

recognize children as individuals

designed and purposed by God, and

have strength for the well doing

as well as the trials for discipline.

I now consider myself retired because

I'm home and it's 8AM.